Loading....

Reject California’s Attack on 3D Printers

California lawmakers are advancing A.B. 2047 toward a floor vote in the State Senate. The bill would require 3D printers sold in California to run government-approved software that scans every print and leaves it up to unproven algorithms to identify blueprints which could be firearm components. The real impact however is surveillance, manufacturer lock-in, and censorship without recourse — while the scheme is easily bypassed by people already willing to break existing law by producing firearm parts.

Wishful thinking

Ordinary objects like props, repair parts, tools, and toys can share geometric similarities with firearm components, meaning any detection system will produce false positives. Meanwhile, anyone intent on making firearm components can find ways to bypass algorithms entirely, create undetectable designs, or simply build a 3D printer with common components.

This bill won’t stop ghost guns, and it’s not about safety. This law demands an unfeasible tech solution for something that is already illegal, and is an attack on our ability to control our own tools.

Surveillance and Enshittification

California legislators are handing a huge gift to printer manufacturers looking to lock-in users into their software. Creators across the state, from engineers to costume designers, will be stuck with fewer choices, new inconveniences, and increased costs.

Even worse, the censoring software required by A.B. 2047 can only be feasibly met with cloud-connected AI scans of every print, a surveillance apparatus prone to misuse and chilling lawful speech.

Only the Beginning

Once this infrastructure exists, it won’t stay limited to firearm-related files. Systems designed to monitor and block prints can easily expand into copyright enforcement, political censorship, or broader restrictions on lawful expression and innovation.

California is not merely another state market. It is large enough to set defaults for the entire technology industry. That's why we need you to stand with grassroots innovators and contact your Senator today, demanding they reject A.B. 2047.

We just need few pieces of information to connect you with your representatives.

**Please sign your name at the end of your message to your lawmaker.**

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Address, line 1*

City*

State*

Zip Code*

Subscribe to receive more Action Alerts from EFF

Yes No

Subscribe to EFFector

Yes No

Take Action

EFF uses the information you provide to help you take action in support of digital civil liberties, including submitting your message to limit government surveillance to your lawmakers. Learn more about our privacy practices at https://www.eff.org/policy

THANKS COPYRIGHT POLICY PRIVACY POLICY CONTACT

Honorable members of the California Senate

Subject: VOTE NO on A.B. 2047 and Protect Privacy, Repair, and Innovation

Message:

As your constituent, I urge you to oppose A.B. 2047. This bill would require 3D printers sold in California to run government-approved software that scans print jobs for potential firearm components and blocks flagged designs. This will not only fail to prevent illegal firearm printing, but will subject law-abiding users to new forms of censorship, surveillance, and anti-competitive practices. Creators and innovators in California deserve true ownership over the tools of their craft. Experts are clear: these censorship systems cannot reliably work as intended. People determined to break the law can easily bypass these controls through modified files, hardware changes, or DIY printers. Ordinary users, creators, researchers, educators, and small businesses will be left with the burdens instead — false positives, fewer choices, surveillance risks, and restrictions on lawful activity. This proposal also raises serious concerns about privacy and the right to repair. To function, these systems may require cloud-connected monitoring of print jobs and continuous software enforcement controlled by manufacturers. That creates risks of surveillance, vendor lock-in, repair restrictions, and future censorship far beyond the bill’s stated purpose. Please stand with creators and vote no on A.B. 2047. Sincerely,

Characters remaining:

Reject California’s Attack on 3D Printers

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district. But you can still help!

The comment period for this document is now closed. But, you can still help!

Reject California’s Attack on 3D Printers

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district. But you can still help!

The comment period for this document is now closed. But, you can still help!

Your messages have been sent!